Speaking to an audience in Gary, Indiana, Obama said, "I'm glad he finally offered a plan. Better late than never."

"Don't expect it to actually help struggling families," he continued. "Because Senator McCain's solution to the housing crisis seems like a lot like George Bush's solution to the housing crisis, which is to sit by and hope it passes by while families are facing foreclosure and watching their home values decline."

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds was quick to respond.

"Unlike Senator Obama, John McCain doesn't believe that writing checks with other people's money is the solution to every problem," Bounds said. "He has produced thoughtful, near-term solutions that provide a bridge to a stronger economy that replaces workers' fears of losing a job with a pathway to opportunity and prosperity for their families."

Later while taking questions from the audience, Obama was asked if he would withdraw any remaining U.S. troops from countries other than Iraq in order to spend the money in better ways.

Obama used this question to further attack McCain, this time for saying he would be willing to keep a U.S. presence in Iraq for a 100 years as long as forces weren't being killed. Obama has said he would not put any permanent bases in Iraq.

Obama said of McCain mockingly, "When I criticized him he said, 'Wait, wait, wait. That's not fair. Don't criticize me. I didn't say I wanted war for 100 years. I said if US troops weren't being injured or killed we could have them there for 100 years, just like in Korea.'"

"Understand, that would cost us a trillion dollars or more," Obama continued. "That means investments that we are not making here in the United States. And so he doesn't even take into account the costs that are involved as well as the message that is sent around the Middle East if we have permanent bases there."

Earlier in his speech, Obama touched on President Bush's comments that he plans to halt current troop pullouts.

"This war should be coming to an end. But President Bush announced today that he was going to put a pause on the withdrawal."

"It's estimated that we will have at least 140,000 troops there until the end of the year. In other words, there is no end in sight under the Bush policy. If that isn't enough for you to want change, I don't know what is."

soundoff(295 Responses)

Dennis

Its time for the country to really start to pay attention to all thats been, and still going on. In november we will make probably the most biggest desision in the last 50 years. I just hope who ever the women or man that will become the next C&C will be the perfect fit and solution for our country..Anyone will be better than G.W!!

April 10, 2008 05:39 pm at 5:39 pm |

Ga. latino voter

Because of the infighting among the democrats, the door is being open wide for the republicans in nov. 2008

April 10, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Dave, Milwaukee WI

Looks like the slimy Hillary blog trolls are out in force today.

April 10, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

clmartin

Unity in the party is going to be the only way that Obama or Clinton will DEFEAT Mcnut

Stop the fighting people we need to beat Mccain.

April 10, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

John

Hillary supporters are not in the game of derogatory insults,name calling from others who have no respect atall to some of these contenders who could be their seniors.Iam talking of Hillary and McCain.Obama's attack on McCain is probably related to the facts that he(Obama) is trailing McCain!Doing anything to win!

April 10, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Rosemary Storaska

Unit what? Why Hillary will win? Easy. Obama shows from his "meeting up" foreign policy to his tax and spend economics that he has little understanding of even the basics of foreign relationships or global economics. The man is just plain blowing in the wind and the wind is starting to hit him in the face.

April 10, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Tom

Mr. Obama – Like your followers, you're just fine with attacking others when they come up with a plan. Instead of attacking theirs, why not do something you have yet to do in this campaign. Come up with an original thought or plan that you can claim as your own and where we won't have to hear the Obama campaign song – "What he REALLY meant to say was....".
You're a lot of things, as we're learning, and because we're learning, President isn't going to be one of them. Clinton or McCain......

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

JR TEXAS

Obama, has NO experience in these matters, he relays what others tell him. At least McCain has and does live in the real world and does not say what others want them to hear. If you were to digest the Obama theology we would be a socialist government. People are blind and are being lead by "WORDS" no substance, he is very much like his pastor Rev. Wright.......WAKE UP PEOPLE.....

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

Chris from San Antonio

re: Obama the Great Deceiver April 10th, 2008 5:19 pm ET
"Just how does Obama plan to pay for his SOLUTIONS- a lot of TAXES, leaving Americans with only CHANGE in their pockets."

How about we use the 500 Billion we would save if we left Iraq? Did you even think through your thought process before writing id down?

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

clmartin

Hyde,

No one has a plan.

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

Cat, Costa Mesa, CA

Cal,

Think about what you say before posting such drivle. Now, I don't necessarily like the fact that Bear Stearn was bailed out either, but it saved MILLIONS of people from losing their investments, money, retirement etc. Your less-than-intelligent brother losing his home only affect your less-than-intelligent brother!

Now, I find it ironic that you side with the party of "charity to everyone" yet require such selfishness in regards to one person! You're pretty inconsistent.

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

paul

It is hilarious how Barack Obama is playing the 'fear' card with the economy, with war in Iraq, with education, etc. with McCain. For all Barack's speeches on CHANGE and being different than the normal politician he is showing the world and myself that he is no different than the rest of the pack. He attacks based on HIS record.

I am not a McCain fan but when it comes to experience this man has more than experience in his life to make the United States a better place than Obama has in his lifetime. McCain is a man who has fought a tough fight and never given up. He fought for campaign reform and stuck with it until he had something. Barack fought a short campaign on race and once we heard something negative on Hillary he jumped off that campaign and decided not to mention it again.

Barack is no different than Hillary, No different than McCain or any other politician that he says he is different from in this world.

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

Go Girl Yay

Yay, Hillary has a plan, Go Girl.
Go Go Hillery, she is like Rocky and Obama isn't, Yay
You go Girl, however fast Obama will win the war, Hillery will end it faster, Yay Yay Hillery.
Gooo Hillery, whatever lies she tells is OK cause we love her YAY!
Hillery, Go Go Go, whatever despicable things you make up about Obama we just do not care. We love you HILLARY!

April 10, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

Veterans for Obama

Go get him Tiger!

April 10, 2008 05:42 pm at 5:42 pm |

kim portland, oregon

just a few weeks ago you blamed the homeowners, so you're either a flip-flopper, a liar, or saying whatever it takes to win, so which is it mcmaniac?!!? i pick D: ALL OF THE ABOVE!

all i know is we democrats MUST stick together to keep this war-loving, foul-mouthed, bully as far away from the oval office as possible. it's time for him to get a life-long prescription for valium, grab his walker, and head on over to denny's for the early bird special!

i adamantly support obama, but if somehow hilary becomes our nominee, there is NO QUESTION that i will support her 10000%! mcmaniac CANNOT be president!

April 10, 2008 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |

Robert Wooller

Obama 2008, baby!!!

April 10, 2008 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |

Eric-PA

Sorry Jane, I can't support Obama if he's the nominee. Unfortunately, I will be forced to vote for a Repubican for the first time in my life.

April 10, 2008 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |

Keys

Obama is on it and for those still barking about his pator... Well it's about time everyone stop pulpitting, because there's not one person unblemished and perfect. However we do have model exaples and nho one in that sector stands unscaved; Obama isn't perfect, but in this race it's the best option right now for the country as a people.

April 10, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

Veterans for Obama

Nancy,

People like to daydream is all.

April 10, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

Sante

OBAMA IS THE BIGGEST LIER FRO ALL OF THEM.
PROMICES SOMETING THAT NOBODY DELIVER WRITE NOW.

HWO IS BEHIND HIM. HWO WANTS AMERICA DEFITED?

April 10, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

Ron R

In my opinion, if the our country decides to elect John McCain, we will be in a new conflict abroad within 2 years of him taking office. On top of this, the man admits he doesn't know much about the economy. For the life of me whether democratic or republican, and given the last 8 years we have endured, I don't understand why you would want him running this country!! Wake up people

April 10, 2008 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |

Brian

Because Clinton has morals???

April 10, 2008 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |

Emily

Definitely read Glenn Beck: America needs a 12-step program and then come back to this. Obama is right and it is 100% time for America to change. I feel that McCain and Clinton are jaded with the political system and cannot offer the "thinking outside the box" solutions that this country is in dire need of. WHO'S COMIN' WITH ME!?!?!

April 10, 2008 05:46 pm at 5:46 pm |

Stephen

Both Obama and McCain have absolutely NO economic experience. After hearing her speak on the ecconomy with Cramer on Mad Money, I am convinced that she is the only one who can save our economy. That is what the media has consistently ignored...when it comes to the issues she is the most informed and revolutionary candidate out there.

April 10, 2008 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |

Karen L. Reimer, Mt. Bethel, PA

Be calm. McCain does not stand a chance. He only has 35% or so of his own party. How does he win a national election? It is all propaganda. The man will be Senator of AZ, that is all, and that is only because he has a wealthy wife. It's not about intellect, service or talent.